JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Planner 3 /Principal Planner Plan Review team

Job Summary:

The Planner 3 serves as a senior-level planner within the Land Development division, responsible for managing complex development applications, providing advanced technical expertise, and supporting division-wide process improvements. The Planner 3 (Principal Planner) performs advanced professional planning work, serves as a technical subject matter expert, and leads complex planning projects.

A key focus of this position is acting as the primary point of guidance for Planner 1 and Planner 2 staff, providing regular coaching, technical direction, and feedback. The Planner 3 reviews selected work products and reports supervisory observations, training needs, and workload considerations to Planning Managers to support effective staff development. Although the role may not include direct supervisory authority, it requires a high level of professional judgment and independence under the general supervision of senior management.

The Planner 3 contributes to regulatory updates, special projects, and interdepartmental coordination. Additional responsibilities may include reviewing complex cases, evaluating policy documents on behalf of the Assistant Director of Land Development, and attending meetings with or on behalf of Planning Managers and/or the Assistant Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as case manager for selected complex SP, PUD, and subdivision applications and pre-applications
• Consult with planners and provide advanced technical guidance on selected complicated subdivision, SP applications, and pre-application reviews.
• Provide one-on-one coaching, training, and professional development support to Planner 1 and 2 staff
• Review selected draft staff reports for complex subdivision and rezoning applications, as needed, and provide feedback to managers and staff to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency with regulations and policies
• Oversee and review all Council Bill preparation processes
• Prepare and track Land Development reports to City Council
• Represent Land Development on special project teams (East Bank redevelopment, Ecological Framework Implementation)
• Conduct research on selected case histories, precedents, and policy issues as needed to support complex application review
• Review the Subdivision Regulations and make recommendations for amendments/updates, as time allows
• Propose and implement updates to application checklists, as time allows
• Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documents for different types of case reviews, as time allows
• Deliver training periodically to the staff team and to new employees

Performs various administrative duties:

• Writes letters and prepares reports.
• Prepares and reviews items to be presented to the Metropolitan Planning Commission.
• Develops and implements measures to improve productivity.
• Participates in the policy setting process.
• Coordinates activities with other sections/divisions of the Planning Department and/or other Metropolitan departments.
• Attends meetings and speaks to the public as needed.

Typical Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principles, practices & techniques of planning.
• Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development.
• Knowledge and experience in construction processes.
• Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection.

Typical Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers.
• Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well-defined planning problems.
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.
• Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines.
• Knowledge of computer programs and applications, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications, Cityworks, ArcGIS, Bluebeam, and database management.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of planning experience

OR

Master's Degree in Planning or related field from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of planning experience.

Annual salary is $98,314.

Perks & Benefits

• Expansive suite of benefit options including paid family leave; medical, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; optional deferred compensation plan; flexible spending accounts; pension program; subsidized public transit; and more
• Support for qualifying professional licenses, certifications, and professional development hours
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying loans

Candidate materials accepted through March 16, 2026.

Qualified applicants should send letter of interest and resume to:

Randi Semrick, Human Resource Manager
E-mail to: randi.semrick@nashville.gov

The Planning Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline or any other employment practices because of non-merit factors shall be prohibited. For ADA inquiries, contact Randi Semrick, ADA Compliance Coordinator, at (615) 862-7230 or e-mail her at randi.semrick@nashville.gov. For Title VI inquiries, contact Human Relations at (615) 880-3370. For all employment-related inquiries, contact Human Resources at (615) 862-6640